Abstract: The degradation of ZnO/Silicone coating system under 90keV proton irradiation varying from 5×1014cm-2 to 1×1016cm-2, was studied by slow positron annihilation spectrum. Effective diffusion length calculated by Variable energy positron fit (VEPFIT) shows a dramatically break in a dose of 1×1015cm-2. It is ascribed to the increase of crosslink density and decrease of free volume and hole during the proton irradiation. Furthermore, positron has shown a satisfying sensitivity in detecting the nano-scale defect on ZnO/Silicone system.

Abstract: The behavior of 3d electrons and microdefects in binary Ti-Al alloys with Al contents from 47at.% to 53at.% have been studied by coincidence Doppler broadening and positron lifetime techniques. It has been found that the 3d electron signals in the spectra of binary Ti-Al alloys increase with Ti content. In Al-rich Ti-Al alloys, on increasing Al content, the open volume of defect on grain boundary increases while the density of free electron decreases. On the contrary, in Ti-rich Ti-Al alloys, on increasing Ti content, the open volume of defect on grain boundary decreases, and the electron density of the grain boundary increases.

Abstract: The coincidence Doppler broadening spectra of single crystals of Si, Al, polycrystals of Ti, Nb and Sn, and TiAl-based alloys (TiAl, Ti50Al48Nb2 and Ti50Al48Sn2) have been measured and analyzed. It has been found that the 3d electron signal for binary TiAl alloy is lower than expected due to the Ti 3d-Al 3p interactions. The addition of Nb atoms to TiAl alloy leads to the enhancement of d-d interactions and thus the d electron signal in the spectrum. The d electron signal in the spectrum of Ti50Al48Nb2 alloy is higher than that of Ti50Al48Sn2 alloy. The influence of Nb and Sn on d electrons of TiAl alloys has been discussed.

Abstract: Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) is an experimental technique whereby the lifetime spectrum of positrons injected into a material is measured. Analysis of this spectrum can be used to characterize defects in the material. While radioisotope positron sources are often used for PALS, there are several advantages of using mono-energetic, slow positron beams. In order to measure lifetime spectra with such beams it is necessary to produce a pulsed beam with an extremely short pulse length (~ 200 ps). In this article we discuss the advantages of using pulsed, slow-positron beams, the various methods of beam production and pulsing methods. We focus in particular on intense beams generated by electron accelerators and describe the current status and future plans for the accelerator based facility at AIST.